Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-02-17
BARTHOLDI rs DELIGHTED.


Suggestions About Improving the Appearance
of the Liberty Statue.
No. 80 RUE VAvIN, PARIS, France, Jan. 25
| 1887.
To THE Hon. WILLIAM M. EyARTs, Presi.
| dent of the American Committee of the
| Statue of Liberty.
Mr.. President
On my return to Paris I had the pleas
ure to relate to our committee all that has
been done in New York. I gave an ac-
count of the beauty of the pedestal work.
! and all that your honorable committee
has so happily accomplished. scarcely
am able, Mr.. President, to express what a
great pleasure felt in observing how sue
cessful has been the work both in its de-
| tails and in the tout enemble.
After careful examination of the draw
lngs and studies made by me with the
eminent architect, Mr.. Hunt, I could
foresee what the appearance would be,
yet many things nevertheless may fall
short on actual execution. I have been
very happy to notice how complete the
result has been in all that concerns the
architecture as well as the mounting of
statue. The execution in its details as
well as in the whole is perfect, and 1 can
not too often repeat how much I admire
the care, devotion, and intelligence shown
in all that has been done. I have not the
slightest fault to find, and I have no
doubt that with care and looking after,
the monument will last as long as those
built by the Egyptians. Such a result
does great credit to your committee and
their eminent co-workers, Gen. Stone and
Messrs. Hunt and King, am anxious to
officially renew the expressions of my
gratefulness to them.
AS regards the question OF the light
the object of many controversies, the
pablo has been somewhat surprised be-
cause the statue has been beforehand
represented white and shining in the
dark as if silvered, while such an effect is
impossible, as the dark color of the cop
per will absorb all the light, believe the
determination taken to be excellent, and
the luminous fire in the hand very logical
and happy in effect.
to throw light from above the flame,
where an opening had been provided,
and to direct vertically toward the skies a
halo that would be perceived from a
long distance. The idea was also pro-
lighting the inside OF the head. These
are only secondary schemes, which may
afford some popularity to the lighting
and may be tried later on, but are of
sec ondary Importance, the main result
having been attained as fully as possible
under the conditions in which T saw it.
The only wish would present. earnestly
relates to projects of future improve
me to fho
see the grass slopes fronting the fort
walls Increased in height in such way
that only one-half of what is now seen
of the walls could be perceived. It will
Increase the apparent volume of the
pedestal and the value of the general as
pect Of the whole monument. When the
large steps affording access to the pedes-
tai are finished, the general outline will
be, in my opinion as a matter of art, as
perfect as it is possible to desire.
The grass slopes and the few trees
growing on the island will make lovely
scenery; it will become all attractive ex-
curs1on place, from which one of the
finest prospects OF the world will be
found.
You see, Mr.. President, how pleasant
are the impressions which brought back
and communicated to our committee. It
is grea' happiness for an artist pursu-
ing an ideal to feel that he has been sec
onded with so much talent and sympathy
as found on this occasions Be SO kind
as to present to your committee and their
co-workers my deepest gratitude, as well
as the thanks of my faithful countrymen,
who have promoted this important
achievement. Please accept, Mr.. Presi-
dent, the thanks of the members of the
committee with mine, and believe us,
most respectfully yours.
BARTHOLDI.